FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — A 15-year-old student has been arrested after bringing an AR-15 pistol to school at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone on Thursday, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office said the school's resource officer along with school staff quickly responded and found the AR-15 pistol in a backpack with 32 rounds.
"The initial investigation determined the student was acting alone and had no event planned with the weapon. The weapon belonged to the student’s parent and is typically kept in a safe," the sheriff's office said.
The 15-year-old is in custody and charged with the possession of a weapon on school property. During the student's first court appearance, the teen was ordered to be held at a youth detention center until May 5.
“If there is one thing we have learned from this incident, it is several students knew the weapon was on school property. I encourage students to use the school’s anonymous tip system for future incidents like this one," Sheriff Barry H. Babb. "I would also urge every parent to have a discussion with their student to please get involved and not hesitate to notify an authority of a weapon or any dangerous activity. Someone’s life, including their own, may depend on it.”
In a letter to parents, Sandy Creek High School Principal Richard Smith said there were no injuries to students or staff as a result of the incident.
"I want to commend the students who provided the information to our administration," he said. "Thanks to their diligent efforts, we were able to act quickly to protect the safety of our school community."
Smith reiterated for parents to talk to their kids about the seriousness of bringing a weapon to school. Smith stressed the importance of students reporting anything they see or hear that could threaten the safety of students and staff. He said that these incidents can "carry life-long detrimental consequences."
"Protecting everyone’s safety is a top priority and it takes all of us working together to ensure that Sandy Creek High is a safe place for learning and working," Smith said.
Earlier this week, at Cross Keys High School in DeKalb County, another student was taken into custody after administrators said they found a weapon in a student's backpack. This prompted a school safety meeting where the school addressed parents' concerns and answered their questions.
